Linebacker Gary Wooten out Florida has reportedly committed to Penn State for the 2012 recruiting class. Defections have given the Nittany Lions plenty of scholarship room to work with, giving Wooten the opportunity to join the team beginning this weekend with less than two weeks to go until the start of the regular season.
Wooten actually graduated from Hialeah High School in 2011 and was set to choose between Eastern Michigan and Massachusetts on signing day before his family convinced him to take a year off and spend time closer to home. He was ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, and garnered offers from the likes of Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Florida International, New Mexico and Washington State, among others.
Though Wooten played mostly defensive end in high school, he was projected to linebacker by all of the major recruiting services. As an effect, he brings capable pass-rushing skills to the table though he will need to add some bulk if his listed heigh/weight of 6-foot-2, 190 pounds is still accurate.
For more on Wooten and the Nittany Lions, check out Black Shoe Diaries and stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh.